42479FIB26-Addendum1.pdf

DATE: August 28, 2026

TO: Prospective Respondents

FROM: LaDonna Johnson, Procurement Specialist

SUBJECT: Addendum #1 to Invitation for Bids, 42479 – Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area – West Augustine (SJ59) Mulch Mowing

As a result of an inquiry received regarding the above-referenced solicitation, the following information and clarification is provided for your information.

1. With tight deadline restrictions would we be able to bring in larger machines that are wheeled and steel tracked? Small skid steers will not be able to get that kind of production in that short amount of time.

The pines throughout the work area are too dense to allow complete treatment using large equipment alone. Therefore, a skid steer or compact wheeled loader equipped with an approved mulching head is necessary to access and treat all required areas. Respondents may utilize multiple skid steers, compact loaders, or a combination thereof to achieve the required work. The completion date has been extended to provide additional flexibility for respondents who elect to use a single machine. Refer to question 11.

2. When were the designated treatment areas last mechanically mulched, mowed, or treated by prescribed fire?

Information regarding prior treatment is not currently available.

3. Does the District have any recent site photographs, aerial imagery, Avenza maps, GIS files, KML/KMZ files, or shapefiles available for the 180-acre treatment area?

Please refer to Exhibit 1 – Map and the additional maps included in Scope of Work. No other site photographs, aerial imagery, Avenza maps, GIS files, or shapefiles are being provided as part of this solicitation.

4. Are there any known wet areas, soft-ground conditions, access limitations, or historically problematic rutting areas within the treatment limits that bidders should account for?

The project area encompasses upland and transitional pine forest with an understory primarily comprised of saw palmetto and gallberry as well as interspersed wetlands. The work footprint shown on IFB figures 2 and 3 do not include the wetland areas. Transitional areas grading down to wetlands may be wet depending on rainfall. If the lower areas on wetland fringes are too wet to complete without rutting, the work area can be adjusted to avoid those areas. Completed acreage will be calculated via GPS at completion of the project and the contractor will be paid accordingly based on the per acre price quoted.

5. Has this property, or substantially the same treatment area, previously been contracted for forestry mulching or mowing? If so, please provide the previous solicitation number, award amount, awarded cost per acre, and contractor information, if available.

Information regarding any prior solicitation number, award amount, cost per acre, or contractor is not available.

6. The solicitation identifies an estimated budget of $80,000. Please confirm whether bids exceeding this estimated budget will be considered for award if they are otherwise responsive and responsible.

The estimated budget is an estimate only and does not limit the District in awarding the Agreement.

7. Can the successful contractor submit progress invoices based on completed and accepted acreage, or is payment issued only upon completion and acceptance of the entire treatment area? Please also advise on the District's standard payment terms following invoice approval.

As stated in the solicitation, the Contractor may submit monthly itemized invoices for completed and accepted work. The Contractor is not required to wait until completion and acceptance of the entire treatment area before invoicing. Progress invoices may be submitted for acreage completed and accepted by the District during the applicable billing period.

Payment terms are generally net forty-five (45) days after receipt and approval of an undisputed invoice.

8. Is any mobilization payment or advance payment available under this Agreement?

No

9. Regarding the minimum experience requirements, must the three years of experience and two qualifying 100+ acre projects have been completed directly by the Respondent, or can the qualifications of an approved subcontractor or teaming partner be used to satisfy these requirements?

The Respondent must independently satisfy the minimum qualification requirements in order to be considered responsive. The required three (3) years of experience and two (2) qualifying projects involving 100 or more acres must be demonstrated by the Respondent. Qualifications, experience, or project references of a subcontractor, teaming partner, or other third party may not be substituted to satisfy the Respondent's minimum qualification requirements.

10. Is a site visit or inspection permitted prior to bidding? If so, please advise how access can be arranged.

Yes. A site visit is permitted. Access can be arranged by contacting Tyler Mosteller, North Region Land Manager via email at tmostell@sjrwmd.com.

11. Can the District confirm that the project completion deadline is September 25, 2026, which is 23 days following the bid due date?

The Contract Documents are hereby revised to extend the completion date for the Work.

mailto:tmostell@sjrwmd.com

Wherever the Contract Documents reference the completion date of September 25, 2026, including but not limited to the solicitation cover page, Scope of Work, and draft Agreement, such date is deleted and replaced with November 30, 2026.

All Work shall be fully completed on or before November 30, 2026. All other terms and conditions of the solicitation and resulting Agreement remain unchanged.

12. Is the area marked so no extra mulching out of area is done?

There will be no mulching outside of the hashed area depicted on Figure 3 of the Scope of Work.

13. Are we mulching everything to mulch to a more “manicured” look or are we just knocking down and leaving sticks and small root systems of palmettos sticking up?

The intent of this project is to mulch mow the designated treatment areas to reduce fuel loads and support future prescribed-fire activities. The Work includes mowing and mulching all understory vegetation, trees, and shrubs up to four (4) inches DBH within the treatment areas. The finished product should result in vegetation being mechanically mulched and reduced in height, rather than merely knocked down. Standing stems, protruding palmetto root systems, or other unprocessed vegetation that would interfere with the fuel-load reduction objective would not be considered an acceptable finished condition. The District will verify completion through on-site inspection by the Project Manager.

14. Do we need to mulch up the palmettos? Do we need to mow and mulch everything to ground level?

How small does the debris need to be mulched? Are there any consequences for not finishing this project by the due date?

Palmettos shall be mowed or mulched to a maximum height of approximately twelve (12) inches above ground level. There is no specific size requirement for the resulting mulch debris. Debris will be considered acceptable provided it has been completely severed from the root system.

The Contractor is responsible for completing all Work by the required completion date. Failure to do so may constitute a default under the Agreement and may subject the Contractor to the remedies available to the District under the Agreement, including correction of deficiencies, termination for cause, or completion of the Work through District forces or a third party, as applicable.

For additional information, please refer to the Draft Agreement, Section 51 – Remedies for Non- Performance and Section 52 – Default/Termination.

NOTE: The Bid Due Date remains 2:00 p.m., September 2, 2026.

Please acknowledge receipt of this Addendum on the BID FORM provided in the bid package.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at ljohnson@sjrwmd.com.

EXHIBIT 1 – MAP